Project for promotion of archaeological heritage launched in Pakistan

The Department of Archaeology, Hazara University and Leicester University in United Kingdom under a joint venture formally launched a British Council-funded project aimed at promoting archeological heritage of Pakistan. 

Takht Bahi, a 2,100-year-old Buddhist monastery near Mardan, is one of the many historical sites included in the project [Credit: Shams Uddin]

The project link coordinator, Dr Abdul Samad told reporters here on Monday that the “Strategic Partnership Extension in Knowledge Exchange” had been designed scientifically to promote the archaeological heritage of Pakistan for sustainable tourism. 

He said the project had been primarily executed in Chitral valley and more than 150 archaeologists, tourism specialists, local community members and officials of department concerned were involved in it. 

Dr Samad, who is Chairman Department of Archeology, Hazara University, explained that the project activities would be self-sustainable and ultimately play an important role in developing a positive image of Pakistan at the international level. He added the local community would also be involved in the programme, which could create job opportunities. 

“We are working on the capacity building of Chitrali community,” Dr Samad maintained. “We are imparting special training to archeological experts who will disseminate the knowledge and skills at the local level,” he added. 

Dr Samad expressed the hope the project would play an integral role in promoting archaeological tourism and help policymakers adopt ideas proposed by experts to understand the reality that archaeology was the biggest revenue generating asset in Pakistan. 

On the occasion, Dr Syed Sakhawat Shah, Vice Chancellor, Hazara University said the Department of Archaeology had adopted pragmatic ways for contemporary research in the field of archaeology. 

Source: The News [June 05, 2012]